Obituary of Gary T. Hewitt

Gary Thomas Hewitt of Penfield NY died Thursday, February 20th 2014 at age 58 at his home surrounded by family after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Gary was born in Glens Falls NY on July 1 1955 the son of the late Thomas J. and Cecelia Reed Hewitt. He received his undergraduate degree from St. John Fisher and his M.S.W. from Arizona State University and he remained a faithful Sun Devil for life. In the early 1980’s he founded the Center for Missing Children which specialized in counseling families of missing children. He organized a one of a kind retreat at Keuka College for the parents and siblings of abducted children. During his work at the center he worked with hundreds of families of missing children including victims themselves following successful reunions. He later worked as a family therapist and social worker for the Rochester City School District. Prior to his retirement in 2010 he served as the Family Court Liaison for the City School District. Friends and family will always remember Gary for his unparalleled generosity and kindness, his goofy sense of humor, his special love of animals, his creativity and his incredibly optimistic view on life. We know he is jogging on the sands of St. Martin right now in his favorite flip flops coming up with his next great idea. Gary will be fondly remembered as a loving husband, son, father, brother, nephew and uncle. He leaves behind his wife of 26 years, Alice Boland Hewitt; sons, Matt Yurgelun (fiancée, Lori Tomasko) of Boston and Tommy Yurgelun (partner, Kwena Chokoe) ; brother, Michael Hewitt (wife, Debbie) of South Glens Falls; his beloved dog and cat, Maggie and Jackie; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. Family and Friends are invited to Gary’s Funeral Mass, Monday February 24th 10:00am at St. Joseph’s Church,, 43 Gebhardt Road, Penfield NY. Interment will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Penfield. Gary’s family would like to thank Dr. Aram Hezel and his team at the Wilmot Cancer Center as well as visiting nurses, Stephanie and Sam. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations to Lollypop Farm in Gary’s Memory.